maandag 29 februari 2016

Ibanez AD9 switch problems - Repair

This original AD9 had some switching problems, but all  I had to do was some cleaning and it was good to go. Jeez, what a great analogue delay.

vrijdag 26 februari 2016

Resonant Field Effects Acceleron Fuzz - Clone

I had a moment of realization, I only have fuzz pedals that are gainmonsters, so I wanted a ''normal'' fuzz pedal. I first thought about a germanium Fuzz Face, but because I still haven't found (what I'm looking for) a good germanium transistor dealer, I went for a silicon fuzz.
Those silicon Fuzz Faces are kinda boring, so I found a Acceleron Fuzz from Field Effects. If you look at the schematics, it uses some transistors that aren't very common (expect for one MPSA18). It sounded great on YouTube, and the schematic looked interesting, so I built it.
Now it’s one of my favourite fuzz pedals that I own, it's a real dynamic fuzz, it doesn't get mushy like a Big Muff, and it goes from brave to real harsh.
The switch in the centre is for contour, I never really understood contour on amplifiers, but on this pedal it's kinda like compression, I think.
The enclosure is a failed etch from the Seamoon Funkmachine (eventhough that one wasn't a success either), so I've used this enclosure for my own pedals.

zaterdag 20 februari 2016

Hello Kitty from Hell - Clone

''Life is like a roller coaster, live it, be happy, enjoy live'', with these great magic words we will start this pedal.
I've made this pedal for Laura ''B.B.B.'' Pannekoek in exchange of an old IPhone. Luckily she didn't say what kind of artwork she wanted, so I’ve used my imagination and came up with ''this''.
This pedal is in style of Avril Lavigne, as you can see.
It's a drive-fuzz combo pedal. On the left side we've got a Devi Ever Sodameiser, a thick muff-like fuzz that works great with bass guitar. On the right side we’ve got a DBA Interstellar Overdrive. Most overdrive pedals made for bass are quite big (large schematic), but I needed a small one. I've searched and searched, but when I saw that the bassist of one of my favourite bands (A Place to bury strangers) used an Interstellar Overdrive, I chose that one.
At this point I'm not satisfied with my etching skills, so this will be my last time etching with caustic soda, from now on I will use ferric chloride.

vrijdag 19 februari 2016

Small Tap-Tempo switch

Made a small tap tempo box for my Boss dd-7, nothing special about it, it works.

zaterdag 6 februari 2016

Z.Vex Woolly Mammoth - Clone

Second edition from Merlijn Breedland’s  ''Controversial people with awesome facial hair'', I've made a Z.Vex Woolly Mammoth fuzz.
Originally the Woolly Mammoth is a bass fuzz, but we both liked it more on guitar (especially on crappy guitars).
I could have put it in a smaller enclosure, but then the ''Controversial person'' image would be too small. If you don't recognise him (which is plausible, because sadly the etching didn't turn out great) it's Marc Dutroux ''The Belgian Monster''.

Dan Armstrong Green Ringer - Clone.

16-01-2016
Same story as the Speaker Cranker, I had an old enclosure, so why not use it.
The green ringer is an analogue (up) octaver, it's hard to compare, but if you think about an octave Up fuzz (like the Uni-Vox SuperFuzz) and take the fuzz away, that’s the sound....yeah, I’ve tried. But you can't compare it with a nowadays (digital) octaver like a POG or Whammy.
But it is a really great effect, one that will stay on my board.
No pots, no problems, just kick it in and it works.
-update-
Later I've build one for Merlijn Breedland for his ''controversial people with awesome facial hair''.
As you can see I've etched in Joseph Stalin, this was my first time etching so it’s kinda messed up, but the result is killing.